More on the Enlightenment

1. More on the Enlightenment

2. Today we will… • Identify why ideas were censored during the Enlightenment. • Discuss the importance of salons during the Enlightenment. • Analyze the Enlightenment’s effect on music and literature. • Discuss which monarchs were considered Enlightened Despots.

3. Voltaire • François-Marie Arouet better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. • “I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” • A staunch critic of the Roman Catholic church – he felt organized religion perpetuated ignorance and superstition. • Escrasez la Infame – Crush the horrible thing • Candide – THE BOOK of the enlightment. • Because he criticized the church, he was denied a Christian burial.

4. Censorship of Ideas • Most rulers and church officials felt they had a sacred duty to defend the old order. • They wanted to stop the spread of Enlightenment ideas. • They burned books and banned books. • To avoid censorship, writers like Montesquieu and Voltaire disguised their ideas in works of fiction. • Voltaire wrote Candidewho travels across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Voltaire uses this tale to expose the corruption and hypocrisy of European society.

5. Paris Salons • These were gatherings organized by wealthy women held in large drawing rooms in their homes. • They were used to help philosophes avoid trouble with authorities, discuss politics, philosophy, and current issues. • These discussions allowed writers greater freedom to spread their words.

6. More on Salons • Enlightened thinkers considered themselves part of an intellectual community. • Women participated along with the men and their ideas were valued. • As hostesses of salons, women found that they were in a position to affect the decisions of kings, sway political opinion, and influence literary and artistic tastes. • Salons were highly competitive and the reputation of the salon depended on its ability to attract the top male minds. • The best salons were run by Madame Geoffrin and the Marquise du Deffand

7. Enlightenment’s Impact on Music • Johann Sebastian Bach • George Frederich Handel • Messiah

8. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart • Wrote his first opera at 12 • The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, and Don Giovanni are 3 of the world’s greatest operas. • He composed over 600 pieces of music. • He died a debt ridden pauper at the age of 35.

9. Enlightenment’s Impact on Literature • Development of the novel • Daniel Defoe – Robinson Crusoe • Johnathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels • Robert Louis Stevenson – Treasure Island

10. Enlightened Despots • An Enlightened Despot is a king or queen who ruled by the ideas of the Enlightenment. • Some examples of Enlightened Despots are: Joseph II –Austria, Catherine the Great – Russia, and Frederick the Great – Prussia. Joseph II Catherine the Great Frederick the Great